Feb. 6, 2014
SAN DIEGO - Eighth-ranked San Diego State posted a 10-5 victory over No. 19 Hartwick Thursday afternoon in its home opener at Aztec Aquaplex. The win moves SDSU to 4-0 on the season, while the Hawks fall to 2-3.
The Aztecs started a tad slow, but their defense kept them in the game starting with Rachel Mitchell's save on a point-blank attempt by Hartwick three minutes into the game. Less than 30 seconds later, San Diego State was whistled for a penalty and Mitchell denied Sami Capparelli. Then with less than four minutes to play in the first quarter, Mitchell stopped another attempt from two-meters. The sophomore ended with nine saves.
The Aztecs broke through with three minutes to go when Anique Hermann threw a cross-cage pass to Claire McKinnon, who cashed in on the opportunity. The goal set off SDSU, which received a breakaway goal from Taylor Gums, with the assist credited to Nikole Ferrari, and a lob-shot score from Caroline Israels (Hermann assist) all within the final 50 seconds of the frame.
In the second quarter, San Diego State continued to add to its lead when Alyssa Diacono successfully put her back-handed goal at two-meters past Hartwick goalkeeper Michaela Davies (nine saves). Not even a minute later, McKinnon recorded her second goal of the game when she scored on a 6-on-5 opportunity. Hartwick finally put an end to the Aztecs' scoring spree when Jemma Dendy Young skipped her shot past the sprawling Mitchell.
SDSU got back the goal it gave up just 54 seconds into the third quarter when Taelor Moreno uncorked a fierce shot from the right side. Hartwick, however, answered with a look-away goal from Katie Ermakova. The quarter ended with a pair of power-play scores, first from Israels and the second from Capparelli, who scored just after Hartwick was awarded the player advantage.
San Diego State stretched its lead with a pair of goals in the first four-and-a-half minutes of the final period, one from Ioli Benekou and another from Gums. But the Hawks later scored twice (Britt Tait, Dendy Young) before Gums recorded the hat trick to round out the scoring.
The Aztecs are back in action on Saturday when they face No. 20 Santa Clara at the UCSD Triton Invitational. First sprint is set for 10:40 a.m. PT at Canyonview Pool on the campus of UC San Diego.
No. 8 San Diego State 10, No. 19 Hartwick 5
Aztec Aquaplex; San Diego, Calif.
Hartwick 0-1-2-2--5
SDSU 3-2-2-3--10
Hartwick goals: Jemma Dendy Young 2, Sami Capparelli, Katie Ermakova, Britt Tait
SDSU goals: Taylor Gums 3, Caroline Israels 2, Claire McKinnon 2, Ioli Benekou, Alyssa Diacono, Taelor Moreno
Hartwick saves: Michaela Davies 9
SDSU saves: Rachel Mitchell 9